Shilangi Gupta

Bio: Shilangi Gupta is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sewage & Biology. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 4 publications receiving 5 citations.

Reflections of COVID-19 cases in the wastewater loading of SARS-CoV-2 RNA: A case of three major cities of Gujarat, India

Abstract: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a promising approach to understand the actual prevalence of COVID-19 disease at the community level. Different studies have cited the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples. In the present study, eighteen influent wastewater samples from different sewage treatment plants and pumping stations (5 samples from Vadodara city, 4 from Gandhinagar, and 9 from Ahmedabad city) were collected and analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Gujarat state, India. The results showed the highest SARS-CoV-2 effective gene concentration in Vadodara (3078 copies/L), followed by Ahmedabad (2968 copies/L) and Gandhinagar (354 copies/L). On comparing the virus gene concentration in wastewater samples, the SARS-CoV-2 genetic material exhibited a positive relationship with the number of confirmed and active cases in in all three cities. However, a minor variation in SARS-CoV-2 effective gene concentration was seen between Vadodara and Ahmedabad despite a >2.5 and >1.5 folds differences in the cumulative number of confirmed and active cases, respectively. This may occur primarily due to the greater test positivity ratio in Vadodara (3.30%) than Ahmedabad (1.40%) and might be the higher number of asymptomatic patients in Vadodara. The study confirms the potential of the WBE that can be used at a large scale around the globe for better dealing with the pandemic situation.

Reflections of COVID-19 cases on the wastewater loading of SARS-CoV-2 RNA: A case of three major cities of Gujarat, India

Abstract: The scientific community has widely supported wastewater monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 due to the early and prolonged excretion of coronavirus in the faecal matter. In the present study, eighteen influent wastewater samples from different wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations (5 samples from Vadodara city, 4 from Gandhinagar, and nine from Ahmedabad city) were collected and analyzed for the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Gujarat province, India. The results showed the highest SARS-CoV-2 genome concentration in Vadodara (3078 copies/ L), followed by Ahmedabad (2968 copies/ L) and Gandhinagar (354 copies/ L). The comparison of genome concentration more or less corresponded to the number of confirmed and active cases in all three cities. The study confirms the potential of the Surveillance of Wastewater for Early Epidemic Prediction (SWEEP) that can be used at a large scale around the globe for better dealing with the pandemic situation. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=132 SRC="FIGDIR/small/21254861v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (39K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@142ae8aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d10157org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1af0dbdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1af1b23_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

The Spectre of SARS-CoV-2 in the Ambient Urban Natural Water in Ahmedabad and Guwahati: A Tale of Two Cities

Abstract: COVID-19 positive patients can egest live SARS-CoV-2 virus and viral genome fragments through faecal matter and urine, raising concerns about viral transmission through faecal-oral route and/or contaminated aerosolized water. These worries are heightened in many low and middle income nations, where raw sewage is often dumped into surface waterways and open defecation betide. In this manuscript, we attempt to discern the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (ORF-1ab, N and S genes) in two urban cities of India viz., Ahmedabad, in western India with several WWTPs; and Guwahati in the north-eastern part of the country with no such treatment plants. The study was carried out to establish applicability of WBE for COVID-19 surveillance as a potential tool for public health monitoring at the community level. 25.8% and 20% of the surface water samples had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in Ahmedabad and Guwahati, respectively. The high concentration of gene (ORF-1ab - 800 copies/L for Sabarmati river, Ahmedabad and S-gene - 565 copies/L for Bharalu urban river, Guwahati) found in natural waters indicates WWTPs do not always completely remove the genetic material of the virus. The study shows the applicability of WBE surveillance of COVID-19 in cities with low sanitation as well as in rural areas. The method used in this study cannot detect the live viruses, hence further research is required to evaluate the transmission implication of COVID-19 via ambient water, if any. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=112 SRC="FIGDIR/small/21258829v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (45K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19a51dborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@743707org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c8b608org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@26cd43_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LINatural urban waters show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. C_LIO_LILake water receiving runoff containing SARS-CoV-2 genes reflected positive sign early C_LIO_LIViral RNA in surface water reflects incomplete removal of gene fragments in WWTPs. C_LIO_LIResidence time and fate owing to viral RNA in natural waters needs further research. C_LI

Wastewater Aerosols Produced during Flushing Toilets, WWTPs, and Irrigation with Reclaimed Municipal Wastewater as Indirect Exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw and treated wastewater can open up a fresh perspective to waterborne and aerosolized wastewater as a new transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the current pandemic. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater aerosols formed during toilet flushing, plumbing failure, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal wastewater reuse for irrigation. Moreover, how these aerosols might increase the risk of exposure to this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA). This article supplies a review of the literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater, as well as the fate and stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. We also reviewed the existing literatures on generation and transmission of aerosolized wastewater through flush a toilet, house's plumbing networks, WWTPs, wastewater reuse for irrigation of agricultural areas. Finally, the article briefly studies the potential risk of infection with exposure to the fecal bioaerosols of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for the people who might be exposed through flushing toilets or faulty building plumbing systems, operators/workers in wastewater treatment plants, and workers of fields irrigated with treated wastewater - based on current knowledge. Although this review highlights the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through wastewater aerosols, no research has yet clearly demonstrated the role of aerosolized wastewater in disease transmission regarding the continuation of this pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for additional studies on wastewater aerosols in transmission of COVID-19.